{"id":40799,"date":"2020-02-06T11:52:39","date_gmt":"2020-02-06T16:52:39","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/?p=40799"},"modified":"2020-02-06T11:52:39","modified_gmt":"2020-02-06T16:52:39","slug":"accessibility-in-the-workplace-the-importance-of-communication","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/2020\/02\/06\/accessibility-in-the-workplace-the-importance-of-communication\/","title":{"rendered":"Accessibility in the Workplace: The Importance of Communication"},"content":{"rendered":"One of the things I\u2019m looking forward to is graduating and finally starting to work! In May, I\u2019ll be starting my Professional Experience Year (PEY) and working for 12-16 months. One of my main concerns with employment is navigating my chronic illness and mental health. Luckily, I\u2019ve had my fair share of work experience, so this week I\u2019m sharing my tips with accessibility in the workplace!\r\n\r\n<strong>Finding the job<\/strong>\r\n\r\nFinding a workplace that accommodates your needs or sets you up for success, may be difficult. Read job descriptions carefully! Some places may not seem perfect for you but interest you \u2013 so don\u2019t hesitate to contact the workplace or bring it up during an interview. Doing research about the experiences of other students or employees can be helpful to hear concerns and learn how companies support their employees.\r\n\r\n<figure id=\"attachment_40814\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-40814\" style=\"width: 224px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/files\/2020\/02\/84738919_227588498264275_3257983786394058752_n.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-40814\" src=\"http:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/files\/2020\/02\/84738919_227588498264275_3257983786394058752_n-224x300.jpg\" alt=\"Laptop screen with resume on the left of it and a notification on the right about resumes\" width=\"224\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/files\/2020\/02\/84738919_227588498264275_3257983786394058752_n-224x300.jpg 224w, https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/files\/2020\/02\/84738919_227588498264275_3257983786394058752_n-768x1028.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/files\/2020\/02\/84738919_227588498264275_3257983786394058752_n-765x1024.jpg 765w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 224px) 100vw, 224px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-40814\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Every job application has a slightly different resume - it takes time but it's worth it!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\r\n\r\n<strong>Applications + interviews<\/strong>\r\n\r\nNot all companies are looking for the same skills and experiences \u2013 meaning applications should be catered to positions you are looking to get! If you need any assistance with this, Accessibility Services &amp; CxEd are hosting 3 events to get you started:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>February 11<sup>th<\/sup>: <a href=\"https:\/\/clnx.utoronto.ca\/publicEventsController.htm?eventId=19801\">Resume &amp; Cover Letter Blitz<\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li>March 12<sup>th<\/sup>: <a href=\"https:\/\/clnx.utoronto.ca\/publicEventsController.htm?eventId=19802\">Career Planning Workshop<\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li>March 27<sup>th<\/sup>: <a href=\"https:\/\/clnx.utoronto.ca\/publicEventsController.htm?eventId=21541\">Disclosure in the Workplace<\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nInterviews are a great way to learn how you fit into the company. I\u2019ve had workplaces suggest candidates send them accommodation needs before an interview, which is a good sign! At the end of the interview, I ask questions to understand the workplace culture, including asking about my position, and the hiring manager\u2019s role in supporting accommodations.\r\n\r\n<figure id=\"attachment_40815\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-40815\" style=\"width: 300px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/files\/2020\/02\/84624500_219265742570393_9048432405366439936_n.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-40815\" src=\"http:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/files\/2020\/02\/84624500_219265742570393_9048432405366439936_n-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"notebook open with black cursive writing and a light grey background\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/files\/2020\/02\/84624500_219265742570393_9048432405366439936_n-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/files\/2020\/02\/84624500_219265742570393_9048432405366439936_n.jpg 504w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-40815\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">I make notes before an interview and jot down some questions I have beforehand<\/figcaption><\/figure>\r\n\r\n<strong>The workplace<\/strong>\r\n\r\nStarting out in the workplace is hard \u2013 it\u2019s a new situation with new expectations. I\u2019ve been able to find full-time positions that considered my chronic illness and mental health a priority, but know this isn\u2019t always the case.\r\n\r\nBefore being comfortable disclosing to my supervisor, even when my flare-ups &amp; migraines made it difficult to work, I\u2019d avoid missing days. My productivity lowered and I felt disconnected. In hindsight, not having the conversation with my supervisor negatively affected me and further hindered my mental health.\r\n\r\nAfter that, I learned to talk to my supervisors early on to discuss my accommodation needs. It\u2019s not an easy conversation, and I still worry about the response I will get, but it helps to explain how I\u2019ll stay on top of tasks and what I may need to do so. For example, with migraines I let my supervisor know that I may have to call in sick but may be able to work from home later in the day. In terms of anxiety and depression, with support and motivation from supervisors, tasks become less daunting.\r\n\r\n<figure id=\"attachment_40800\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-40800\" style=\"width: 300px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/files\/2020\/02\/84692803_184385776131656_349740660087062528_n.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-40800\" src=\"http:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/files\/2020\/02\/84692803_184385776131656_349740660087062528_n-300x233.jpg\" alt=\"person wearing personal protection equipment standing in front of train\" width=\"300\" height=\"233\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/files\/2020\/02\/84692803_184385776131656_349740660087062528_n-300x233.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/files\/2020\/02\/84692803_184385776131656_349740660087062528_n-768x595.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/files\/2020\/02\/84692803_184385776131656_349740660087062528_n.jpg 840w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-40800\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Despite my health, I have been able to have a great TIme at my jobs and learn so many new things<\/figcaption><\/figure>\r\n\r\nIn the event that it's too difficult to approach a supervisor, or you don\u2019t get a positive response, companies often have Human Resources where you can discuss issues confidentially. You have a right to a workplace that is fair, accepting, and safe.\r\n\r\nFor my PEY, I\u2019ll be following these steps closely and hope to create a positive relationship with my supervisor. What\u2019s your experience been with disclosing in the workplace?","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<div class=\"entry-summary\">\n<div class=\"entry-summary\">\nOne of the things I\u2019m looking forward to is graduating and finally starting to work! In May, I\u2019ll be starting my Professional Experience Year (PEY) and working for 12-16 months. One of my main concerns with employment is navigating my&hellip;\n<\/div><div class=\"link-more\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/2020\/02\/06\/accessibility-in-the-workplace-the-importance-of-communication\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> &ldquo;Accessibility in the Workplace: The Importance of Communication&rdquo;<\/span>&hellip;<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div><div class=\"link-more\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/2020\/02\/06\/accessibility-in-the-workplace-the-importance-of-communication\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> &ldquo;Accessibility in the Workplace: The Importance of Communication&rdquo;<\/span>&hellip;<\/a><\/div>","protected":false},"author":382,"featured_media":40815,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[826,7206,1,58,66,67,77],"tags":[826,1905,86,109,25506,250,1883,25510,27687],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/40799"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/382"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=40799"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/40799\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":40816,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/40799\/revisions\/40816"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/40815"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=40799"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=40799"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca\/lifeatuoft\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=40799"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}